Worship Arts

Below is information regarding the Arts in the Unitarian Church of LIncoln. If you have further questions, please contact Julie Enersen, Worship Arts Director.

Youth Opportunities Adult Opportunities
Drama Club Unitarian Choir
Flicker Choir (Preschool) UU Wind Ensemble
Flame Choir (Kdg. - Gr. 3) Member Musicians
Chalice Choir (Gr. 4 & up) Guest Musicians
Flash! Youth Band (Gr. 6 & up) One-Hour Choir
One-Hour Choir The A Street Band

Drama Club

The UU Drama Club meets for one five-week session during the year in order to prepare a church service. Every aspect of that service (readings, announcements, Joys & Concerns, skit, movement piece, etc.) are all done by the members of the Drama Club and there are opportunities for kids of all ages to be involved in lots of ways. Photos from the February 14, 2010 service — "A Tapestry of Friendship"— can be found in our Youth Arts Photo Gallery.

The Drama Club presentation would not have been possible without the all-star team of enthusiastic adult leaders :

Drama Club Friends:

  • Evelyn Weymouth, director
  • Shannon Cameron, assistant
  • Julie Enersen, organizer
  • Jeanne Marlette, costumer
  • Dan Nelson, set construction
  • Judy Hart, tassel creator

 

Youth Choirs

We currently offer three choir experiences for our children and one band for our middle school students. Click here to see the Youth Arts Photo Gallery!

The Spring Session of Youth Choirs will begin April 11. The Chalice and Flame Choirs will combine to present songs on Apr. 18 and May 9.

Spring Session Dates:

 

The Flicker Choir, comprised of preschool singers, meets in the preschool room duringfirst 5-10 minutes of RGL time on Sundays. Students depart from the auditorium and gather on the rug in their room for some singing. Sarah Rose and Trish Lanning share the responsibility of working with the preschoolers.

 

 

The Flame Choir (Kdg. - Gr. 3) meets from 11:15 - 11:45 on Youth Arts Sundays. Shelly Fowler directs the group and is assisted by Sarah Rose and Trish Lanning. Singers report to the Music Room at 11:15 for ten minutes of group singing before their individual choir practice begins.

 

 

The Chalice Choir (Gr. 4 and up) meets from 11:15-11:45 on Youth Arts Sundays. Julie Enersen directs the group with the assistance of pianist/singer Barb Brant and percussionist Bob Haack. Singers report to the Music Room at 11:15 for ten minutes of group singing before their individual choir practice begins.

 

 

Youth Choir Leaders:

Julie Enersen Shelly Fowler

Sarah Rose Trish Lanning


 

Flash! (Youth Band — Gr. 6 and up)

Flash! has used percussion, vocalized sounds and non-traditional instruments to create theirown pieces. They also used their "real" instruments and voices when the presentedtwo songs the February 14 service, "A Tapestry of Friendship." Flash! is led by local jazz performer and church member, Nancy Marshall. Please contact Nancy for more information.

Flash Band Assistants:

  • Nancy Marshall, director
  • Roger Geery, guitar
  • Don Pinkley, bass
  • Brindin Sawyer, vocals

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The Unitarian Choir

The Unitarian Choir, which sings at one Sunday service a month, is open to all of our members & friends. Singers who reading music are encouraged to come to the rehearsals in the church auditorium. Dates and times will be listed in the newsletter. The group also performs at local retirement and nursing homes (pictured with youth choirs at right) as part of an ongoing musical outreach to the community.

Upcoming 2010 choir rehearsals:

Mar. 3 & 10 — 7 PM rehearsals
Mar. 14 — 8:30 AM rehearsal, 10 AM service

Apr. 14 & 21 , 7 PM rehearsals
Apr. 25 — 8:30 AM rehearsal, 10 AM service

May 26 & June 2 — 7 PM rehearsals
June 6 — 8:30 AM rehearsal, 10 AM service

UU Wind Ensemble

The UU Wind Ensemble meets regularly and welcomes new members, both youth and adults, with various levels of experience: from those dusting off instruments that have been stored too long to those who have picked up an instrument well enough to play sheet music to those who are confident enough to noodle around a little. Although the ensemble is composed primarily of woodwind instruments, brass and string players are welcome too. Please contact Rachel S. (802-2592, cleocatra45@yahoo.com) for further information.

The A Street Band

Our house band, The A Street Band, is comprised of church members who enjoy playing contemporary music including folk, jazz, and rock. They provide music for our church services and social events. Musicians and singers interested in making music with the band should contact Roger at geeryznk@inebraska.com

 

 

 

The One-Hour Choir Singers of all ages participate in the One-Hour Choir.

The One-Hour Choir is a self-contained, show-up-that morning, open-to-all experience that happens 3-4 times a year. When it's scheduled, singers show up Sunday morning at 9:00, rehearse one or two songs and then sing in the service. The choir is for folks whose schedules are not compatible with the committed, Wednesday-night choir rehearsal routine. It's for folks whose situations don't allow them to plan or commit to much of anything ahead. It's for families who would enjoy singing together. It's for folks who enjoy singing, but only if the music is simple and the atmosphere is casual.

Starting at 9:00, the group practices a song or two chosen to be comfortably learned and polished in the rehearsal period. Ability to read music, or even read words, is NOT required since the songs are mainly taught by rote (repetition). The group adds harmony, if it wants to, or stays in unison, if it needs to. After a short break, The One-Hour Choir regroups and proudly sings at the 10:00 service. That's all there is to it!

Guest Musicians

Our worship services are greatly enhanced by the participation of talented local musicians. Below is a partial listing of the musicians who have shared their talents with us on Sunday mornings:

Donna Baddeley, piano
John Bailey, flute
Bassianetto Duo
Jennifer Buehler, harp
Early Music Society
Carole Goebes, flute & recorder
Golden Tones, string quartet
Great Plains Chamber Winds
Dean Haist, trumpet
Doane Brass Quintet
Steve Hanson, mandolin
Vicki Harris, violin
The Huntington Trio Dennis Taylor
Tom Larsen, jazz piano
Jessica Lindsey, clarinet
Kate Logan, guitar
Daniel Martinez, guitar
Nicole Narboni, piano
Chantry Nelson, oboe
Margaret Nelson, harp
Quinn Chapel Choir
Genevieve Randall, flute
Frank Restesan, violin
Ric Ricker, French horn
Jack Rinke, piano
River City Mixed Chorus
Justin Roth, guitar and vocals
Karen Sandene, bassoon
Kusi Taki, Anden folk music
Anne Sheedy, Celtic flute
Dennis Taylor, guitar
Triggertown

Member Musicians

We are fortunate to have church members who are accomplished musicians. Below is a partial listing of those members who have enriched our services with their musical talents:

Jim Baker, tenor
Barb Brant, piano and vocals
Christina Buchholz, harpsichord
Bill Carpenter, piano
Celeste Case-Ruchala, clarinet
Judy Cole, mezzo-soprano
Michele Dobszewicz, drums
Julie Enersen, vocals
Roger Geery, mandolin
Julie Huddle, flute
Lynn Janese, guitar and vocals
Nancy Marshall, jazz piano
Paul Nance, violin
Sophia Potter, cello
Bruce Raymer, bass
Chris Sayre, folk musician
Becky Seth, piano
Dick Seymour, piano
Deb Stephen, vocals
Zeb Taylor, vocals
Sandra Washington, vocals
Bill Zieg, piano